Commencement wasn’t the end for the graduating students in the Speech-Language Pathology doctorate program, who gathered in 2CW on Tuesday to share poster presentations with family and friends and celebrate the culmination of years of hard work.

“Today, we celebrate a remarkable journey, one that began long before you entered our program,” Bridget Perry, interim chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders said to those in attendance. “You came to the IHP already a seasoned speech language pathologist. You arrived with rich clinical experiences, diverse perspectives, and a shared drive to do more, to lead, to teach, to research, and to mentor of next generation of SLPs.”

Molly Allen Bowlby, one of the class speakers, thanked her fellow students. 

“The people at the MGH Institute are one of the main reasons that I decided to return to complete my doctorate,” Allen Bowlby said. “I had such a positive experience during my master’s program. As one of the members of our cohort with the fewest years of experience, you have all served as a source of inspiration to me. From academic to schools, from hospitals to outpatient settings, you’ve shown me the many ways in which it’s possible to have a long-term, fulfilling career within this profession.”

Fellow class speaker, Rinki Varindani Desai, recounted her journey that began 15 years ago when she left her native India for the United States with a dream of becoming an SLP and noted that it still continues. 

“I want to congratulate you and ask you all to join me on a journey that honors our past, celebrates our present and dreams of a brighter future,” she noted. “Looking at this brilliant cohort around me, I know the future of speech pathology is very, very bright. Let’s grab those sunglasses and go change some lives.”